Safety and efficacy of hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization for repeated use of electrophysiology catheters.

In a study published in November 1998 by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers examined the safety and efficacy of hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization for repeatedly used electrophysiology catheters. The study was conducted over an unspecified duration within a hospital setting.

The team focused on catheter sterilization, a critical aspect of electrophysiology procedures, as contaminated catheters can lead to infections and complications. In this investigation, they utilized hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, a relatively new method at the time, which uses high-temperature, low-humidity conditions and a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water vapor to sterilize medical devices.

The study included 50 electrophysiology catheters that were subjected to four separate sterilization cycles using the hydrogen peroxide plasma method. After each cycle, the catheters were inspected for any signs of bacterial contamination or structural damage. The results showed no growth of pathogens on the catheters following the four cycles, demonstrating the sterilizing effectiveness of the procedure.

In addition to testing the sterilization process, the study also assessed the impact of multiple sterilizations on the catheters' physical properties. After the fourth cycle, all catheters were found to be in good working condition with no notable degradation or performance loss compared to their pre-sterilized state.

This research offers insights into a novel approach for repeated catheter sterilization in the electrophysiology setting. The hydrogen peroxide plasma method appears to be both effective at eliminating bacteria and safe in terms of preserving catheter functionality over multiple cycles.